The desolation that was, was just the beginning of the cycle, the cycle that would hold intact until maiden spring arose from her long slumber, to bless the lands with her warm embrace, and blow soft kisses that erupted into blossoming flowers. Now was the time of quietness, when the winds would howl their haunting tales, and shiver would those confined to the snow globe world. The telltale signs were all there; the drop in temperature, the chilling rains, the harsh breeze and lastly, the frost that lingered longer and longer every morning. The zephyr continued its harsh song, its ragged breath crawling across her frigid frame.

The stern force of the wind wailed down, telling one and all of its promise, that snow would fall, leaving the world innocent for the first few hours, untouched and unsoiled, holding a gift of new beginnings, that was, until they would move, daggers dragging across the lands, tarnishing the purity of it, destroying it. She waited for it, creeping around its edges, calling to the coldness that would numb her flesh, her blood, her heart. Rin would try, standing in the full gale of it, its harsh whips branding her flesh, striking with unnecessary force, oh, and how she would wish to succumb to it, to lay her head down upon its bosom, and drift away like a ghost. But no, never, for something within her rumbled, snarling, for it would not let her fall into the sorrow that surrounded her, but screamed and raved, kicked and clawed, telling her that she was just merely a vassal, and this other would not allow her to wade into the gloom of the night. No, life was to be lived, through good and through bad, thick and thin, struggling like fallen angels to reach for that one shinning star.

Rin paused, her eyes starting out. A bag of groceries was held within her grasp, and she knew that eventually she would have to return home. But for now, she stood there, watching the people move around her. Families; happy families that were strolling. She could hear their conversations, talking about Christmas and presents, and about what they wanted. She missed those times, yet had promised to herself not to dwell on those memories. Things had changed since then. After all, Rin was no longer cursed. Moving to the side, Rin pressed her face up against a pet shop window, watching the kittens rolling around with each other, and a pair of puppies. A smile was brought to her features, as Rin crouched down, trailing a finger across the thick glass, watching as a kitten moved to swat at it.